New study finds drug pushed by Miller-Meeks “showed no benefit” and “more deaths”
DES MOINES — A new report from Iowa Starting Line shows IA-02 GOP Congressional Candidate and State Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks peddled misinformation about the effectiveness of hydroxychloroquine, saying she has read the research and would want to try the drug if she contracted the virus.
Miller-Meeks’ since-deleted tweet directly contradicts medical evidence, including a recent study that showed the drug has no COVID-19 treatment benefits and could actually harm patients. As the former Iowa Public Health director, Miller-Meeks understands the need to keep Iowans informed of the facts and resources during this time. Instead she chose to put political games before public health.
Key excerpts from the article:
- State Sen. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, a physician and Republican candidate for Congress, said in a tweet if she became infected with COVID-19, she would want to try a malaria drug for treatment that a new, large study shows has no benefit and may have worsened health outcomes.
- A new study of the drug’s impact on coronavirus patients showed no benefit and potentially did more harm than good when used on 368 men at Veterans Health Administration medical centers across the country.
- The 27-page study, reported on Tuesday by the Associated Press, found about 28% of VA patients given the drug in addition to routine treatment for COVID-19 died compared to 11% who were treated without the drug.
- NPR reported Tuesday that a panel of experts convened by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases — the institute led by Dr. Anthony Fauci — recommends against the combination of hydroxychloroquine and an antibiotic to treat COVID-19 because one of the potential side effects is sudden cardiac death.
(MORE)